The Republic of Ireland's Nations League fixture against Israel, played in the neutral venue of Debrecen, Hungary, has been surrounded by political controversy, with voices across Irish society calling for a boycott since the draw was made in February.
Ireland's pre-match press conference and training session were delayed on Saturday. A UEFA official announced roughly 15 minutes before the scheduled 10:15am start that the press conference, at which manager Heimir Hallgrimsson and a player were due to speak, would be pushed back until after training, to 12:30pm, according to multiple center-leaning outlets.
Right-leaning outlets reported that Ireland's players held a meeting and considered a last-minute boycott of the match, with some reports suggesting the game itself was in doubt as players weighed refusing to play. The Jerusalem Post reported that players missed the team's last training session and that the goalkeeper opted out before the game.
Irish midfielder Jason Knight said the match against Israel should not go ahead, according to Arab News, amid the ongoing calls for a boycott. The Republic of Ireland's government has said Israel is committing genocide through its military action in Gaza, and the Football Association of Ireland faced pressure over the fixture, according to the Guardian.
Despite the opposition, a formal boycott of the match did not materialize, according to the Guardian, though the stands were expected to be largely empty for the neutral-venue fixture.
How each side covered it
Left
- The Guardian described the fixture as an eerie occasion given fierce political opposition across Irish society.
- The Irish government has said Israel is committing genocide through its military action in Gaza.
- The Football Association of Ireland faced pressure over holding the fixture.
- No boycott ultimately took place despite the opposition, according to the Guardian.
“Israel’s match with Republic of Ireland will be an eerie occasion as political debate rages on” — The Guardian
Center
- Multiple center outlets reported Ireland's press conference and training were delayed on Saturday morning.
- The press conference, originally set for 10:15am, was pushed to 12:30pm after a UEFA official's announcement.
- RTÉ News reported confusion in Hungary and a players' meeting ahead of the match.
- Arab News reported midfielder Jason Knight said the match should not be played.
“Republic of Ireland confirm rescheduled news conference before controversial Israel game” — BBC Sport
Right
- The Telegraph and The Times reported Ireland's players considered a last-minute boycott of the match.
- The Times reported the game itself was in doubt as players weighed refusing to play.
- The Jerusalem Post reported players missed their final training session and the goalkeeper opted out.
- The Sun reported players were set to issue a statement outlining their position on the match.
“Ireland’s Israel game in doubt as players consider refusing to play” — The Times
Questions readers ask
What happened before Ireland's match against Israel?
The Republic of Ireland's press conference and training session, ahead of their Nations League match against Israel in Debrecen, Hungary, were delayed on Saturday. Reports also described player meetings and discussions over a possible boycott of the fixture.
Why was there controversy around the Ireland vs Israel match?
The Republic of Ireland's government has said Israel is committing genocide through its military action in Gaza, according to the Guardian, prompting calls across Irish society for a boycott of the Nations League fixture against Israel.
Did Ireland boycott the match against Israel?
According to the Guardian, despite fierce opposition and calls for a boycott, one did not materialize, though the match was played at a neutral venue with stands likely to be largely empty.
Did any Ireland players speak out against playing the match?
Irish midfielder Jason Knight said the match against Israel should not go ahead, according to Arab News, amid ongoing calls for a boycott.
What did right-leaning outlets report about the players' stance?
Right-leaning outlets including The Telegraph and The Times reported that Ireland's players considered a last-minute boycott, with the match reportedly in doubt, while The Jerusalem Post reported players missed final training and the goalkeeper opted out.
Sources · 16 outlet reports
- Al Jazeera EnglishLeft-leaningPressure to boycott Israel game grows as Ireland preparations stall
- The GuardianLeft-leaningIsrael’s match with Republic of Ireland will be an eerie occasion as political debate rages on
- Arab NewsCenterIreland’s Knight says Israel match should not be played
- BBC NewsCenterRepublic of Ireland news conference delayed before controversial Israel game
- BBC SportCenterRepublic of Ireland confirm rescheduled news conference before controversial Israel game
- CBS SportsCenterRepublic of Ireland will face Israel in Nations League after team vote to boycott match fails
- CNACenterIreland to fulfil Nations League fixture with Israel after player vote
- RTÉ NewsCenterKnight: Israel game shouldn't be going ahead
- Sky NewsCenterUncertainty over Ireland vs Israel Nations League game after training and news conference delayed
- The Irish TimesCenterIreland’s match against Israel thrown into chaos as Bazunu tells squad he does not want to play
- The Straits TimesCenterIreland postpone press conference, training delayed ahead of Nations League game with Israel
- Yahoo SportsCenterRepublic of Ireland news conference delayed before controversial Israel game
- The Jerusalem PostRight-leaningIreland's players miss last training, goalkeeper opts out before Israel game
- The SunRight-leaningPress conference delayed as Ireland players set 'to issue statement' outlining position on controversial Israel games
- The TelegraphRight-leaningIreland players consider last-minute boycott of Israel match
- The TimesRight-leaningIreland’s Israel game in doubt as players consider refusing to play